Valley doctor gives tips for staying stress free

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - The struggle is real and we have an entire month to celebrate it. April is Stress Awareness Month, and one Valley doctor has some tips on how to relax.

Every day, everywhere we go, we find noise and stress.

"There is a lot of stress, all of my business centers around the preservation of flowers, we build freeze driers, we build vacuum dehydrators for preserving flowers," said Richard Delong, a cardiology patient.

Richard Delong says work worried him, and that stress, along with a not so healthy diet, led to a visit with Dr. Sarika Desai.

That first appointment was several years ago. Delong has since had a few stints put in and changed his diet but mostly he's concentrating on reducing stress levels.

"I moved to a small community a year ago that's a 55 plus community and it's very easy to walk in," said Delong.

Delong takes daily walks as recommended by his doctor.

"I think that especially in society right now stress affects many of millions of people and if it's not addressed it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other debilitating diseases," said Dr. Desai.

Dr. Desai says taking time for yourself is the only way to beat stress.

"I think it's very easy to get caught up in a cycle where it's going to work and taking care of your family even if you have children it becomes a vicious cycle," said Dr. Desai.

She suggests practicing yoga daily, with or without puppies, along with daily exercise like a simple walk or even gardening.

"It should be a question in their history, what's you stress level in your life, what are major stresses, do you have physical stresses, emotional stresses and to identify the early so you can work with patients on reducing that stress without causing or that leading to disease development," said Dr. Desai.

Delong is making the necessary changed, stepping back to appreciate life so his can be longer.

Dr. Desai says diet is a huge part of stress because when you're stressed you don't make healthy choices.